Powder dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder either with or without a liquid is presented. The apparatus includes a base, dispenser, and tower. The base is adapted for receiving a container. The dispenser includes a rotatable or slidable carriage. The carriage includes at least one compartment horizontally disposed above an optional funnel. The carriage is rotatable about a central axis or translatable parallel to and below the hopper. A hopper is disposed above the carriage and communicates with less than all compartments. Each compartment is capable of separately dispensing a powder from the hopper into the funnel and thereafter into the container resting on the base. The tower is disposed between and attached at opposing ends to the base and the dispenser. The apparatus is useful, for example, in preparing baby formula and other food for infants, as well as in preparing food and drink for children and adults.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/521,929 filed Jul. 12, 2012which is a national phase application of Patent Cooperation TreatyApplication No. PCT/US2011/046436 filed Aug. 3, 2011, both entitledPowder Dispensing Apparatus, which are hereby incorporated in theirentirety by reference thereto.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present device generally relates to a powder dispensing apparatus.Specifically, the dispensing apparatus includes a base and a dispenserattached at opposite ends of a vertically disposed tower. The base isadapted for receiving a container. The dispenser includes a slidable orrotatable carriage with one or more compartments. The slidable orrotatable carriage is either manually operable or motorized. Eachcompartment is capable of separately dispensing a predetermined quantityof powder into a funnel either without or with a liquid before deliveryinto the container resting on the base.

2. Background

A variety of powder dispensers are known within the beverage arts.Several exemplary devices are noteworthy.

Cheong describes an apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 7,316,249 for dispensinginfant formula, and in particular an apparatus that is able to containand mix temperature controlled water with milk powder based on theamount of infant formula desired and ideally is also capable ofsterilizing bottles prior to dispensing.

Haven et al. describes an apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 6,829,431 forautomatically dispensing the proper amounts of dry baby formula andheated water to make liquid infant formula. The baby bottle is held inplace in a pivoting transfer arm with a clip that fastens around theneck of the bottle. After the powdered formula is dispensed, thetransfer arm swings the bottle to the water dispensing station. Waterheated to the desired temperature is added to the bottle, and theformula is ready to be mixed and served.

Harrison et al. describes a dispensing apparatus in U.S. Pat. No.6,711,990 including a base housing having side and bottom walls, andalso having an open top, and further having container assembly supportmembers disposed therein. The apparatus also includes a containerassembly including a container, and also including a hood being securelyand conventionally attached about the container, and further including abottle support member being securely and conventionally attached to thecontainer, and also including bottle retaining members being securelyand conventionally attached to the bottle support member; and furtherincludes a cover being removably disposed over the open top of thecontainer; and also includes a light-emitting assembly being securelyfastened attached to the container assembly; and further includes a babyformula preparation and dispensing assembly for preparing baby formulaand for dispensing the baby formula to bottles.

Brice describes an automated baby formula bottle filler in U.S. Pat. No.6,412,527 for providing formula for a baby's bottle from powderedformula. The automated baby formula bottle filler includes a housinghaving an interior space for holding water. A motor compartment coupledto the housing is positioned in the interior space. A first funnelassembly is positioned in the interior space for dispensing baby formulapowder. A second funnel assembly is positioned in the interior space fordispensing water. A control panel is coupled to the housing. The controlpanel includes a powdered formula dispenser control and a waterdispenser control.

Clubb describes a heated beverage machine in U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,117 foruse in making heated beverages, such as baby formula and cocoa, fromheated water and a powdered drink mix that includes a housing havingcontained therein water dispensing assembly, a powdered drink mixdispensing assembly, and a control circuit. The water dispensingassembly includes a water reservoir, a water reservoir level sensor, awater temperature sensor, three fluid volume select input buttons, awarm/hot select switch, a water dispensing valve in connection betweenthe water reservoir and a mixing nozzle, resistance heating element, awater temperature display gauge, a water level display gauge, a warmtemperature select indicator light, and a hot temperature selectindicator light. The powdered drink mix dispensing assembly includes apowdered drink mix reservoir, a dispensing auger positioned within adispensing pipe in connection between the mixing nozzle and the powdereddrink mix reservoir, a dispensing auger position sensor, a shakerassembly positioned within the powdered drink mix reservoir, and adispensing auger motor. The control circuit has inputs in electricalconnection with a water reservoir level sensor, a water temperaturesensor, a dispensing auger position sensor, three fluid volume selectinput buttons, a warm/hot select switch, and on/off switch, a start mixswitch, and outputs in connection with a water dispensing valve, aresistance heating element, a water temperature display gauge, a waterlevel display gauge, a dispensing auger motor, a warm temperature selectindicator light, and a hot temperature select indicator light. Thecontrol circuit operates the dispenser auger motor and the waterdispensing valve such that the volume of powdered drink mix and waterdispensed corresponds with the volume of the fluid volume select inputbutton selected in response to activation of the start mix switch. Thecontrol circuit operates the resistance heating element to heatdispensed water exiting the water dispensing valve to the temperaturecorresponding to the position of the warm/hot select switch before thedispensed water reaches the mixing nozzle. The mixing nozzle ispositioned outside of the housing and includes a dispensing opening fordispensing a mixture of the dispensed water and powdered beverage mix.

Rothley describes an electronic baby formula preparation and storagedevice in U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,313 including a housing for securelyreceiving and supporting a baby-feeding bottle. A reservoir is mountedon the housing for storing a measured volume of water and is in fluidcommunication with the bottle. A timer means releases the volume ofwater into the bottle at a preselected time during a baby-feeding cycle.Simultaneously with the release of the water from the reservoir, amixing means, operatively associated with the bottle, is activated toagitate the water with a volume of formula that was previously insertedinto the bottle. A heating means, under the control of a temperaturesensor, warms the formula mixture to a desired temperature and maintainsthe formula mixture at that temperature for a preselected period oftime.

Roberson describes a free-standing apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,325that stores and heats a supply of water in a reservoir to a temperaturedesirable for instant consumption by an infant. The apparatus isportable and especially adapted to dispense warm water into a standardbaby bottle that is then mixed with powdered baby formula for instantfeeding. The apparatus includes controls for ensuring that water in thereservoir does not exceed or overshoot a maximum safe temperature forfeeding formula to an infant. Visual indicator that the temperature ofthe water is in a safe range is provided to reassure the caregiver ofproper temperature. The size of the reservoir is limited to preventstagnation of water while providing sufficient volume to a hold a supplyof water for one night of feedings.

LaBarbera, Jr. describes a device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,816 used formaking and combining warm sterile water with dry baby formula. Devicemust contain a source of water, enough to fill at least one bottle todesired amount and to properly combine with formula. A heating device iscontained in order to sterilize water by boiling it. A cooling devicewithin the unit brings down the temperature of the water to recommendedmixing temperature with dry formula. Enough dry formula is contained toproduce at least one bottle. A releasing device is provided to releaserecommended amounts of both water and dry formula directly into abottle.

Jensen describes a baby milk warmer in U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,031 includinga housing for supporting a bottle of water and a heater for heatingselected amounts of water. A flexible tube is provided forinterconnecting the bottle and the heater and a metering valve isdisposed between the bottle and the heater, allowing one of the selectedamounts of water to enter the heater. A sensor is provided and disposedwithin the flexible tube upstream from the metering valve for sensingthe temperature of water entering the metering valve. A control system,responsive to a manual switch for designating one of the selectedamounts of water, is provided for running the heater for a sufficienttime to warm one of the selected amounts of water to a selectedtemperature.

Herring describes a sanitary device in U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,460 forstoring components of a liquid infant formula in which at least one ofthe liquid components is refrigerated and all of the components arejointly dispensed to a baby's bottle.

Biderman et al. describes devices in U.S. Pat. No. 7,104,184 and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/499,690 for preparing a fluid food at adesired consumption temperature on demand, comprising two reservoirs ofwater, a container containing a formula, a data processor and acontroller for dispensing water of the correct temperature from each ofthe reservoirs and the formula from the container into a vessel.

Thaler et al. describes an apparatus in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/821,506 for quickly and easily preparing a bottle of infant formulafrom powdered formula and water. The device warms the water contained ina baby bottle placed therein to a temperature substantially in a rangearound body temperature and keeps the water warmed to that temperature.The device further contains a dispensing mechanism allowing the quickand accurate dispensing of the required amount of formula into the babybottle. Such apparatus succeeds in substantially reducing the time andeffort associated with baby formula preparation. This device would beideal for late night situations so the user is not required to partakein multiple time consuming tasks to prepare a baby bottle.

As is readily apparent from the discussions above, the related arts donot include a powder dispenser capable of dispensing a predeterminedamount of a powdered food or the like in a convenient, controllable andefficient manner either without or with a liquid.

Therefore, what is required is a dispensing apparatus capable ofconveniently, controllably and efficiently dispensing a food item inpowder form into a container either without or with a liquid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatuscapable of conveniently, controllably and efficiently dispensing aconsumable in powder form into a container either without or with aliquid.

In accordance with some embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatusincludes a base, a dispenser, and a tower. The base is adapted forreceiving a container. The dispenser includes a slidable carriagehorizontally disposed above an optional funnel and linearly slidablewithin a track. The slidable carriage further includes one or morecompartments capable of separately dispensing a predetermined quantityof powder through the funnel into the container. The tower is disposedbetween and attached to the base and the dispenser. The powderdispensing apparatus could further include a reservoir and a pump. Thereservoir could be attached to the apparatus and adapted to store aliquid. The pump could communicate with reservoir and move the liquidfrom the reservoir to the funnel.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include a handle attached and rotatable with respect tothe dispenser. The handle communicates with the slidable carriage sothat the carriage is operable.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include a motor disposed within and attached to theapparatus and communicable with the slidable carriage so that thecarriage is operable via the motor.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include a control panel disposed along an exterior surfaceof the apparatus. The control panel communicates with and controlsoperability of the motor.

In accordance with other embodiments, the dispenser could include athreaded shaft attached to and rotatable with respect to the dispenserand a platen. The platen could push or feed the powder toward and intoone or more compartments when the threaded shaft is rotated. Thethreaded shaft also includes a gear adjacent to the slidable carriagewhich engages a ring adjacent to the slidable or rotatable carriage soas to rotate a wand.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include a rotatable handle attached and rotatable withrespect to the dispenser. The rotatable handle facilitates operabilityof the carriage and the platen.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include a motor disposed within and attached to theapparatus. The motor facilitates operability of the carriage and theplaten.

In accordance with other embodiments, the hopper, the slidable carriage,the threaded shaft, or the platen could be removable from the dispenser.

In accordance with other embodiments, a wand is attached to the slidablecarriage and disposed within the hopper so as to distribute powder intothe slidable or rotatable carriage.

In accordance with other embodiments, the base could be foldable withrespect to the tower.

In accordance with other embodiments, the funnel could include at leastone port which facilitates injection of the liquid into the funnel andcleaning of the funnel after the liquid and the powder are mixed.

In accordance with other embodiments, the pump could transport theliquid into the funnel when the slidable carriage communicates thepowder to the funnel, thereby mixing the liquid and the powder withinthe funnel.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include a rotatable handle attached and rotatable withrespect to the dispenser to control the operability of the slidablecarriage and the pump.

In accordance with other embodiments, the rotatable handle is furtherconfigured to dispense liquid and powder in a specific ratio.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include a motor disposed within and attached to theapparatus. The motor also communicates with the slidable carriage andthe pump so that each is operable via the motor.

In accordance with other embodiments, a mechanical linkage is attachedto the motor and configured to dispense liquid and powder in a specificratio.

In accordance with other embodiments, the mechanical linkage includes apaired arrangement of contacts configured to control the quantity ofliquid and powder dispensed into the container.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include a control panel disposed along an exterior surfaceof the powder dispenser apparatus. The control panel communicates withand controls operability of the motor.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include a heating element disposed within the apparatuscapable of heating the liquid prior to mixing with the powder.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include a control panel which communicates with andcontrols operability of the heating element.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include at least one sensor disposed within the apparatusto measure the temperature of the liquid so as to allow control of theheating process.

In accordance with other embodiments, the reservoir could be insulated.

In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing apparatuscould further include a sensor disposed within the reservoir thatprevents operability of the motor when the liquid within the reservoiris below a predetermined level.

In accordance with other embodiments, the reservoir is separable fromthe powder dispensing apparatus.

Several advantages are offered by the described invention. The powderdispensing apparatus is capable of dispensing a predetermined quantityof a consumable powdered in a convenient, controllable, precise, andefficient manner into a container either without or with a liquid. Thebase is foldable with respect to the tower allowing for more compactstorage. The funnel within the dispenser ensures efficient mixing of apowder and a liquid prior to communication into a container. Arrangementof ports along the funnel allows cleaning thereof after powder andliquid are properly mixed. Other advantages are described throughout thedisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will beunderstood and will become more readily apparent when the invention isconsidered in the light of the following description made in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating arrangement of base, tower,and dispenser with funnel, handle and cover in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating elements along the interior andexterior of a powder dispensing apparatus including rotatable handle,rotatable carriage, pump, funnel, and reservoir in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a left side view illustrating elements along the interior andexterior of a powder dispensing apparatus including rotatable handle,rotatable carriage, pump, funnel, and reservoir in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a right side view illustrating elements along the interior andexterior of a powder dispensing apparatus including a rotatable handle,rotatable carriage, pump, funnel, and reservoir in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 5a is a top view illustrating compartments within a substantiallycircular and rotatable carriage in accordance with an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 5b is a top view illustrating cover which prevents powder fromentering a compartment in accordance with an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 6 is a top elevated view illustrating arrangement of rotatablecarriage and pump within a powder dispensing apparatus with respect to arotatable handle in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a left side elevated view illustrating arrangement ofrotatable carriage and pump within a powder dispensing apparatus withrespect to a rotatable handle in accordance with an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 8 is a top elevated view illustrating rotatable carriage withpowder disposed in several compartments adjacent to an openingcommunicating with a funnel in accordance with an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 9 is a partial section view illustrating hopper within dispenserand dispensing of a powder from rotatable carriage to containerpositioned within the base in accordance with an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 10a is a side view illustrating a plurality of first nubs disposedalong a bottom surface of a rotatable carriage and a second nub disposedalong the top surface of a planar element within a dispenser inaccordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 10b is a side view showing interaction between first and secondnubs which push the rotatable carriage up and away from the supportelement as further illustrated in FIG. 10 a.

FIG. 10c is a side view showing relative position between rotatablecarriage and support element after interaction between first and secondnubs as further illustrated in FIGS. 10a and 10 b.

FIG. 11a is a top view illustrating rotatable carriage with a pluralityof compartments each including a rotatable paddle in the CLOSED positionwhich rotates to release powder therefrom in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 11b is a partial section view illustrating attachment of rotatablepaddle to the inner and outer walls of a compartment with a gearattached at one end of the rotatable paddle adjacent to the outer wallas further illustrated in FIG. 11 a.

FIG. 12a is a schematic diagram illustrating interaction between a geardisposed at one end of a rotatable paddle and an actuation bracketattached to the support element of a dispenser adjacent to an openingwhich causes the gear to rotate the rotatable paddle in accordance withan embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 12b is a schematic diagram illustrating arrangement betweenadjacent rotatable paddles with respect to an opening and actuationbracket which ensures that only one paddle is OPEN at a time as furtherillustrated in FIG. 12 a.

FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating a plurality of separate compartmentsattached to a center ring which allows each compartment to moveindependently from the remaining compartments in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a side exploded view illustrating arrangement of first andsecond nubs which cause each compartment to separately deflect upwardand downward multiple times when aligned over an opening to ensurerelease of powder from a compartment in accordance with an embodiment ofthe apparatus.

FIG. 15a is a schematic view illustrating the side of a compartmentaligned with an opening when the first and second nubs are complementaryaligned in accordance with an optional embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 15b is a schematic view illustrating the side of a compartment asfurther illustrated in FIG. 15a when the first and second nubs arealigned to raise the compartment above the support element whereby thesuccessive up and down motion of the compartment causes the powdertherein to fall from the compartment.

FIG. 16a is a side perspective view illustrating funnel with cup-shapedsection with opening, handle, flange, and plurality of ports which allowliquid to be injected into the cup-shaped section in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 16b is a bottom perspective view illustrating cup-shaped sectionwith opening, handle, flange, and plurality of ports as furtherillustrated in FIG. 16 a.

FIG. 16c is an enlarged partial section view illustrating attachment ofa port along the funnel with a connector port disposed along thedispenser or tower in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 16d is an enlarged partial section view illustrating attachment offunnel to housing via a flange and channel arrangement in accordancewith an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 16e is an enlarged partial section view illustrating interactionbetween flange and sensor disposed within the channel as further shownin FIG. 16 d.

FIG. 17a is a section view illustrating reservoir with optional sensorsin accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 17b is a section view illustrating reservoir with optional floatsensor in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 17c is a section view illustrating reservoir with optional heaterin accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 17d is a section view illustrating removable reservoir with springactuated valve in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 17e is a section view illustrating removable reservoir withoptional inline heater in accordance with an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 18a is a schematic diagram illustrating functionality of a pumpwhen rotatable handle is in the UP position in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 18b is a schematic diagram illustrating functionality of a pumpwhen rotatable handle is in the DOWN position in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 19a is a perspective view with cutaway illustrating hopper withshaft-driven platen which causes the platen to move toward rotatablecarriage causing powder to enter compartments not aligned with anopening in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 19b is a diagram illustrating a partial cutaway side view of amechanism enabling functionality of the threaded shaft via a rotatablehandle in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 19c is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of a mechanism enablingfunctionality of rotatable carriage and platen via a rotatable handle asfurther described in FIG. 19 b.

FIG. 19d is a diagram illustrating mechanism enabling functionality ofthe pump via a rotatable handle in accordance with an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 19e is a diagram illustrating mechanism enabling functionality ofrotatable carriage and platen via a motor in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 19f is a diagram illustrating a side elevation view of a mechanismenabling functionality of wand and platen via a motor as furtherillustrated in FIG. 19 e.

FIG. 19g is a diagram illustrating a top view of a hopper with a wandelement attached to evenly distribute powder into compartment(s) withina carriage in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 20a is a side view with partial cutaway illustrating powderdispensing apparatus with foldable base extended in the upright positionin accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 20b is a section view illustrating interaction between bossesextending outward from the walls of the base and tracks extending inwardfrom the walls of the tower as further illustrated in FIG. 20 a.

FIG. 20c is a side view with partial cutaway view illustrating powderdispensing apparatus with foldable base retracted and folded withrespect to the apparatus as further illustrated in FIG. 20 a.

FIG. 21 is a top view illustrating a control panel disposed along anexterior surface of a powder dispensing apparatus in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating communication between controlpanel, controller circuit, motor, sensors and pump elements within apowder dispensing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 23a is a diagram illustrating a partial cutaway side view of amechanism enabling functionality of slidable carriage and platen via arotatable handle while in a first position in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 23b is a diagram illustrating a partial cutaway side view of amechanism enabling functionality of slidable carriage and platen via arotatable handle while in a second position in accordance with anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 23c is a top view illustrating a slidable carriage withcompartments configured in a side-by-side arrangement in accordance withan embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 23d is a top view illustrating a slidable carriage withcompartments configured in an end-to-end arrangement in accordance withan embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 24a is a diagram illustrating a partial cutaway side view of amechanism enabling functionality of slidable carriage and platen via amotor while in a first position in accordance with an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 24b is a diagram illustrating a partial cutaway side view of amechanism enabling functionality of slidable carriage and platen via amotor while in a second position in accordance with an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 25a is a diagram illustrating a top view of a hopper with a wandelement attached to a slidable carriage for evenly distributing powderinto one or more compartments within the slidable carriage in accordancewith an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 25b is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of a hopper with a wandelement attached to a slidable carriage for evenly distributing powderinto one or more compartments within the slidable carriage in accordancewith an embodiment of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to several preferred embodiments ofthe invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in thedrawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts orsteps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale.The words communicate, connect, couple, link, and similar terms withtheir inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct andimmediate connections, but also include connections through intermediaryelements or devices.

While features of various embodiments are separately describedthroughout, it is understood that two or more such features could becombined into a single embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a powder dispenser apparatus 1 is shownincluding a base 2 and a dispenser 4 attached at opposite ends of asubstantially vertically disposed tower 3.

The base 2 is a generally planar element adapted to receive and hold acontainer 63, one non-limiting example being a baby bottle, as furtherillustrated in FIG. 9. The base 2 includes a housing 13 which could befabricated of a polymer via injection molding techniques understood inthe art. The dimensional properties of the base 2 should ensure propersupport of the powder dispenser apparatus 1 to avoid tip over. The base2 could also include a grate 10 which allows the base 2 to function as aspill tray.

The tower 3 is a vertically disposed element which separates thedispenser 4 from the base 2 and properly supports and aligns thedispenser 4 above the base 2. The height of the tower 3 is designdependent and dictated by the maximum height of a container 63 intendedfor use with the power dispensing apparatus 1. The tower 3 includes ahousing 12 which could include, but is not limited to, a tube-likestructure having a rectangular, square, or circular cross section. Thehousing 12 could be fabricated of a polymer via injection moldingtechniques understood in the art. The tower 3 could be attached to thebase 2 via techniques understood in the art including, but not limitedto, mechanical fasteners, adhesive, or ultrasonic welds. In someembodiments, the tower 3 could include or function as a reservoiradapted to hold a liquid, as described further herein. A button 9 couldbe provided along the housing 12 facilitating ON and OFF functionalitywhen the powder dispensing apparatus 1 includes one or more electricallypowered elements.

The dispenser 4 includes a housing 11 also composed of a polymerfabricated via techniques understood in the art. The housing 11 couldinclude an infinite number of aesthetically pleasing designs. In someembodiments, a rotatable handle 14 could be attached to the dispenser 4at one end so as to be freely rotatable above or at the top of thedispenser 4. The dispenser 4 could also include a hopper 60 androtatable carriage 6 or a slidable carriage 194, the latter two elementsnot shown, disposed within the housing 11. The dispenser 4 could furtherinclude a cover 7 attached or attachable to the housing 11 so as toallow access to the area immediately above the rotatable carriage 6 orslidable carriage 194 for the purpose of refilling the powder dispensingapparatus 1 with powder and/or liquid. The cover 7 could be completelyremovable from the housing 11 or attached to the housing 11 in a hingedarrangement. The dispenser 4 could also include a funnel 5 which iseither removably attached to the dispenser 4 or fixed thereto. Thefunnel 5 could be positioned immediately below and adjacent to eitherthe rotatable carriage 6 or the slidable carriage 194 to provide apathway for powder 46 from the hopper 60 to a container. In alternateembodiments, the dispenser 4 could further include a pump 8, the latternot shown. The pump 8 could extend from the dispenser 4 so as to beinsertable into the tower 3 or a reservoir 18 immediately adjacent tothe tower 3. In other embodiments, the rotatable carriage 6 or slidablecarriage 194, cover 7, and/or hopper 60 could be attached to or arrangedin a stacked configuration within the powder dispensing apparatus 1 soas to be removable for cleaning purposes.

The powder dispensing apparatus 1 could also include a reservoir 18. Thereservoir 18 could reside along the exterior of the tower 3 asrepresented in FIG. 1 or be disposed within or comprising the tower 3 asfurther described herein. The tower 3 could be fixed to the powderdispensing apparatus 1 or attached to the powder dispensing apparatus 1in a removable fashion.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the powder dispensing apparatus 1 is shownwithout the exterior portion of the housing 11 forming the dispenser 4.The interior of the housing 11 includes a generally planar supportelement 16 disposed in a cantilever arrangement above a reservoir 18.The reservoir 18 could be a container-like structure mechanicallyfastened or adhesively bonded to one side of the support element 16. Thestructure comprising the reservoir 18 could be composed of one or morematerials which form a thermal short circuit thereby insulating thecontents within the reservoir 18 from the surrounding environment. Insome embodiments, the reservoir 18 could reside as a separate elementinsertable into or onto the tower 3 or base 2. In yet other embodiments,the reservoir 18 could form the tower 3, as represented in FIGS. 2-4. Inthe latter embodiments, the base 2 could be directly attached and fixedto the reservoir 18, as represented in FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, a fill tube 17 could communicate with the reservoir18 via the dispenser 4 enabling refill of the reservoir 18 as required.The fill tube 17 could be accessible after removal of the cover 7. Inyet other embodiments, the reservoir 18 could be accessible via aremovable or rotatable cover or cover with grate-like openings thatallow a user to refill the reservoir 18.

A pump 8 and a funnel 5 are likewise disposed along the same side of thesupport element 16 with respect to the reservoir 18. The pump 8 isattached and fixed to the support element 16 in a substantiallyperpendicular arrangement. The pump 8 is positioned along the supportelement 16 so as to extend into and communicate with the reservoir 18.The funnel 5 is also attached to the support element 16 in asubstantially perpendicular arrangement residing immediately adjacent toand along the exterior of the reservoir 18.

A rotatable carriage 6 contacts the support element 16 along the sideopposite from the reservoir 18, funnel 5, and pump 8. The rotatablecarriage 6 is a generally circular element could include a plurality ofgenerally wedge-shaped compartments 30 disposed about a central opening102, as illustrated in FIG. 5a . The size of the compartments 30 couldhave the same or different. In preferred embodiments, the compartments30 are similarly sized and capable of holding a specified quantity ofpowder 46.

The rotatable carriage 6 is assembled onto a spindle 19 which extendsfrom the support element 16 in a perpendicular arrangement. The spindle19 could be directly molded onto the support element 16. Thisarrangement allows the spindle 19 to extend up and through the centralopening 102. The central opening 102 is preferred to be dimensioned soas to allow at least a clearance fit with the spindle 19 so that therotatable carriage 6 freely rotates with respect to the spindle 19 abouta central axis 20 extending through the center of the spindle 19perpendicular to the support element 16. The rotatable carriage 6 ispositioned along the support element 16 so that at least one compartment30 along the rotatable carriage 6 is disposed above the funnel 5.

The support element 16 could include a pair of flanges 21 disposed alongone end thereof and extending upward in a perpendicular arrangement. Thepairwise arrangement of arms 103 along a generally u-shaped handle 14are each separately and loosely attached to a flange 21 via a fastener25 or 26, so as to allow the handle 14 to rotate freely with respect tothe flanges 21.

The pump 8 could include a piston 15 which is extendable from andretractable into the pump 8. The upper end of the piston 15 could betube shaped. A linkage 22 could be loosely attached at one end to theend of the piston 15 via a fastener 24 and at a second end to one arm103 of the handle 14 via another fastener 23. This arrangement allowsthe linkage 22 to freely rotate as the handle 14 is rotated about theflanges 21 causing the piston 15 to move upward and downward withrespect to the vertically disposed pump 8.

Referring now to FIG. 5a , the rotatable carriage 6 is shown with aplurality of compartments 30 formed by an outer circumferential wall 31and an inner circumferential wall 32 attached via a plurality of sideradial walls 33 disposed in a spoke-like arrangement. In thisembodiment, the rotatable carriage 6 is a single unitary element withopen compartments 30. In other embodiments, the outer circumferentialwall 31 could be a multi-sided element composed of a plurality of planarelements, as represented in FIG. 6. The rotatable carriage 6 could bemolded or form a single unit via techniques understood in the art or beassembled from separate components mechanically fastened, adhesivelybonded, or ultrasonically welded together to form the desired shaped.Rubber gaskets could be removably attached or co-molded to the top andbottom surfaces of the side radial walls 33 or compartments 30 tominimize or prevent powder leakage.

Referring now to FIG. 5b , the rotatable carriage 6 is shown residingalong and above a support element 16. The housing 11 could include awedge-shaped cover 34 attached and fixed to the housing 11 whichcontacts the rotatable carriage 6 parallel to and opposite of thesupport element 16. The cover 34 is dimensioned so as to completelycover at least one compartment 30. This arrangement allows powder tocommunicate with at least less than all compartments 30 as furtherdescribed herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6-8, the rotatable carriage 6 is disposedand rotatable about a spindle 19. The rotatable carriage 6 is attachedto the spindle 19 via a cap 105 which contacts the inner circumferentialwall 32 and is secured to the spindle 19 via a fastener 106. Therotatable carriage 6 is positioned along the support element 16 so thatat least one compartment 30 is aligned with an opening 35 disposed alongand through the support element 16. The opening 35 could include avariety of shapes, preferably a shape that closely approximates thecavity within the compartment 30.

The outer circumferential wall 31 of the rotatable carriage 6 includes aplurality of index tabs 42 attached thereto via adhesive or mechanicalfasteners. One index tab 42 is attached immediately adjacent to the eachcompartment 30 so as to extend radially outward therefrom. The supportelement 16 further includes an index flange 41 attached thereto andoriented in a perpendicular arrangement. The index flange 41 includestriangular-shaped teeth 189 positioned at a height above the supportelement 16 allowing interaction between the index tab 42 along onecompartment 30 and the teeth 189. The teeth 189 are biased so as toallow the index tab 42 to move along the teeth 189 in the rotationaldirection of the rotatable carriage 6. The index tab 42 along onecompartment 30 is seated along one of the teeth 189 when the rotatablecarriage 6 stops rotating so as to align the respective compartment 30with the opening 35. This arrangement allows the powder 46 residingwithin the compartment 30 aligned with the opening 35 to drop into thefunnel 5, as further illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

The rotatable carriage 6 is also indexed to align with the opening 35via an index arm 39 attached at one end to the support element 16 via apair of pins 45 fixed and attached to the support element 16 via anadhesive or fasteners. This arrangement biases the index arm 39 towardthe rotatable carriage 6 in a spring-like fashion. A second end alongthe index arm 39 could further include a barb 101 which engages thevertical edge 61 extending from the side radial wall 33 between twoadjacent compartments 30. The vertical edges 61 could be formed byeither extending the side radial walls 33 beyond the radius of the outercircumferential wall 31 or molding or attaching a thin polymer strip tothe outer circumferential wall 31 opposite of each side radial wall 33.When the rotatable carriage 6 first begins to rotate, the index arm 39is pushed outward by the rotatable carriage 6 so as to allow the barb101 to slide over the vertical edge 61. The index arm 39 continues toride along the outer circumferential wall 31 thereby allowing the barb101 to engage the vertical edge 61 immediately adjacent to the nextpaired arrangement of compartments 30.

In some embodiments, the rotatable carriage 6 is manually operable viathe handle 14. The handle 14 could include a flange 36 disposed betweenthe pairwise arrangement of flanges 21. The flange 36 could furtherinclude an arm 37 which extends substantially downward therefrom. Oneend of a linkage 28 could be loosely mechanically attached via afastener 43 to the arm 37 opposite of the flange 36. A second end of thelinkage 28 could be loosely mechanically attached via a fastener 29 toone end of an arm 40 positioned along and parallel to the supportelement 16. The arm 40 is further positioned between the rotatablecarriage 6 and a flange 27, the latter extending from and perpendicularto the support element 16. The arm 40 is further loosely constrained inthe vertical direction by a flange 191 fixedly attached via a fastener44 to a spacer 104 perpendicularly extending from the support element16. The described arrangement allows the arm 40 to freely move forwardsand backwards parallel to the support element 16 between the rotatablecarriage 6 and flange 27. The arm 40 is slightly curved toward therotatable carriage 6 and includes a barb 100 at the end oppositeattachment to the linkage 28. The curvature of the arm 40 biases thebarb 100 against the outer circumferential wall 31. When the handle 14is fully rotated upward, the arm 40 slides forward so as to allow thebarb 100 to engage a vertical edge 61. When the handle is fully rotateddownward, the arm 40 slides backward thereby pulling on the verticaledge 61 and rotating the rotatable carriage 6 so as to advance the nextcompartment 30 into alignment with the opening 35. The arm 40, linkage28, and arm 37 should be sufficiently long so as to ensure the desiredfunctionality.

In other embodiments, the rotatable carriage 6 described herein couldtranslate rather than rotate with respect to the hopper 60. Referringnow to FIGS. 23a, 23b, 24a and 24b , the slidable carriage 194 could bedisposed in a slidable fashion within a channel 195 or other similarstructure thus allowing the slidable carriage 194 to translate parallelto and below the hopper 60. The slidable carriage 194 could include atleast one compartment 30 having side walls 203 arranged to form astructure similar to that shown in FIG. 5a , except preferablyrectangular or square shaped, and open at the top and bottom.

Referring again to FIGS. 23a and 24a , the slidable carriage 194 couldalign in a first position with the opening 208 along the hopper 60 so asto allow powder 46 to fall into the compartment 30, as otherwisedescribed herein. Referring again to FIGS. 23b and 24b , the compartment30 could align in a second position with either a funnel 5 or acontainer 63 disposed below the channel 195. The channel 195 couldinclude a second opening 35 allowing the powder 46 to fall from thecompartment 30 when oriented in the second position.

A movable cover 196 could be attached to a side wall 203 adjacent to thetop of the compartment 30 and extend perpendicular with respect thereto.The movable cover 196 could contact and slide along the bottom outersurface of the hopper 60. The movable cover 196 could align with theopening 208 in the second position so as to prevent powder 46 fromfurther entering the compartment 30 of the slidable carriage 194.

An arm 207 could extend perpendicular with respect to one side wall 203and extend through a channel wall in a slidable arrangement. Theslidable carriage 194 is generally operable via the arm 207. The arm 207and hopper 60 could be manually operable via a handle 14 or mechanicallyoperable via a motor 168, as otherwise described herein with adaptationsfor linear actuation.

Referring again to FIGS. 23a and 23b , the handle 14 is attached at apivot 142 so as to rotate about a rotational axis 159. The handle 14could include a flange 143 which extends in a substantially uprightdirection. The flange 143 is loosely attached to one end of a linkage145 via a pivot pin 144 or other similar fastener. The linkage 145 isloosely attached at a second end to an arm 207 via a pivot pin 146 orother similar fastener. The arm 207 is disposed in a horizontalarrangement with the slidable carriage 194 and parallel to hopper 60.The arm 207 is attached to a side wall 203 at one end and furtherextends through one end of the channel 195 in a slidable arrangement.The second end of the arm 207 includes a rack gear 202 oriented towardthe hopper 60. The rack gear 202 includes a plurality of teeth 198disposed along one side thereof which contact teeth along a spur gear199. The spur gear 199 is attached within the dispenser 4 so as to berotatable. In some embodiments, the spur gear 199 might also include afinger 201 fixed at one end so as to extend and contact the teeth of thespur gear 199. This arrangement would allow the spur gear 199 to rotatein one direction so that the platen 84 continuously feeds powder 46 intothe slidable carriage 194. In other embodiments, molded teeth, such aselements 68 and 69 in FIGS. 15a-15b , could be used to restrict rotationof the spur gear 199 in a preferred direction.

The dispenser 4 further includes a hopper 60. A platen 84 is disposed inan upright position, preferably substantially traversing the width andheight of the hopper 60. A threaded shaft 83 is further disposedhorizontally along a portion of the hopper 60. One end of the threadedshaft 83 passes through a side wall 156 of the hopper 60. The other endof the threaded shaft 83 is supported along a flange 155 attached to abottom wall along the hopper 60. The threaded shaft 83 also passesthrough the platen 84 which is adapted to move along the threaded shaft83 in one direction when the threaded shaft 83 is rotated clockwise andin the opposite direction when the threaded shaft 83 is rotatedcounter-clockwise. The threaded shaft 83 is freely rotatable at contactpoints with the side wall 156, platen 84, and flange 155. A worm gear200 is attached and fixed to the end of the threaded shaft 83immediately adjacent to the side wall 156. The teeth along the worm gear200 contact and interact with the spur gear 199.

The slidable carriage 194 also includes at least four side walls 203arranged in a box-like fashion with an open top and bottom, generallyreferred to as the compartment 30. It is likewise possible for the sidewalls 203 to be configured to form one or more compartments 30 eachfillable, either separately or jointly, with powder 46 and capable ofdispensing, either separately or jointly, powder 46 into a container 63.Compartments 30 may be arranged side-by-side or end-to-end along thelength of the slidable carriage 194, as generally represented in FIGS.23c and 23d , respectively. In some embodiments, the slidable carriage194 could include compartments 30 arranged both side-by-side andend-to-end. The side wall 203 attached to the arm 207 also includes amovable cover 196. The movable cover 196 is attached to the side wall203 in a perpendicular arrangement so as to contact the bottom of thehopper 60 in a slidable fashion. The side walls 203 of the slidablecarriage 194 move horizontally within a channel-like element defined bythe channel 195. The side walls 203 contact the horizontal and verticalwalls comprising the channel 195. For example, the side walls 203 inFIGS. 23a and 23b contact and are freely movable with respect to thehorizontal wall 204. The channel 195 is fixed to the bottom of thehopper 60 thus containing the movable elements of the slidable carriage194 and properly orienting such elements with respect to the otherelements within the dispenser 4. This arrangement ensures propercommunication of powder 46 from the hopper 60 into one or morecompartments 30 within the slidable carriage 194 and from the one ormore compartments 30 into a container 63.

Movement of the handle 14 is communicated to the arm 207 via the linkage145 causing the rack gear 202 and side walls 203 to move horizontally.Interaction between the spur gear 198 and teeth 198 along the rack gear202 causes the worm gear 200 to rotate. Rotation of the worm gear 200 isfurther communicated to the threaded shaft 83 causing the platen 84 tomove with respect to the hopper 60 and the slidable carriage 194.

When the handle 14 is fully depressed, the side walls 203 of theslidable carriage 194 move toward the left and stop when contact is madewith the channel structure 195, as represented in FIG. 23b . In thisposition, at least one compartment 30 is positioned above the opening 35through the channel 195 allowing the contents within the compartment(s)30 to be dispensed. Also, the movable cover 196 is positioned over theopening 208 so as to prevent further release of powder 46 from thehopper 60 into the slidable carriage 60.

A spring 209 is attached at one end to structure within the dispenser 4and at another end to the handle 14. When the handle 14 is released fromthe depressed position, the spring 209 pushes the handle 14 back to itsstarting position, as represented in FIG. 23a . The side walls 203 nowmove to the right so that the side walls 203 are once again disposedabout the opening 208 along the hopper 60. In this position, powder 46within the hopper 60 is released through the opening 208 and into thecompartment(s) 30.

Referring again to FIGS. 24a and 24b , the dispenser 4 described inFIGS. 23a and 23b is now shown as a motorized embodiment. The arm 207now includes teeth 197 disposed along one side thereof opposite of theteeth 198 comprising the rack gear 202. The teeth 197 are arranged tocontact and interact with a spur gear 176. This arrangement ensures thatthe arm 207 moves horizontally when the spur gear 176 rotates. The spurgear 176 is further attached to an arrangement of cluster gears 174within a gearbox 170, as otherwise described herein. A pinion 175 isattached to a shaft along a reversible motor 168. One cluster gear 174contacts the pinion 175 and another cluster gear 174 contacts the spurgear 176. The cluster gears 174 communicate rotation of the pinion 175by the motor 168 to rotation of the spur gear 176 causing the arm 207 tomove horizontally, thereby moving slidable carriage 194 within thechannel structure 195 as otherwise described for FIGS. 23a and 23b . Theresultant motion of the slidable carriage 194 is dependent in part ongear design and rotational capabilities of the motor 168. The clustergears 174 also communicate rotation of the pinion 175 to the spur gear176. The spur gear 176 could further include sensors which enable propercontrol of the motor and function of the slidable carriage 194.Exemplary sensors include the contact 177, 178 as described herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 25a and 25b , a shaft 192 could be attached tothe hopper 60 in a rotatable fashion so as to extend vertically upwardaway from the slidable carriage 194. A wand 193 could be fixed in aperpendicular arrangement to an upper end of the shaft 192 within thehopper 60. A portion of the shaft 192 could extend through the bottomwall 161 of the hopper 60 and include a pinion 206 fixed at a lower endof the shaft 192. In this arrangement, the wand 193 and shaft 192 rotatewith the pinion 206. The wand 193 could be positioned adjacent to theopening 208 within the hopper 60 and communicable with thecompartment(s) 30 of the slidable carriage 194. The slidable carriage194 could include a rack gear 202 fixed thereto and positioned so as tocontact and interact with the pinion 206. Teeth 205 along the rack gear202 could engage the pinion 206 so that the wand 193 rotates when theslidable carriage 194 moves. Rotational motion of the wand 193 wouldallow the wand 193 to interact with the powder 46 within the hopper 60.This functionality could facilitate distribution of powder 46 from thehopper 60 into the compartment(s) 30. For example, the motion of thewand 193 could move powder 46 toward the opening 208 and/or cut, chop,or otherwise separate agglomerated powder 46. The wand 193 could includevarious designs, non-limiting examples including the three-armarrangement in FIG. 19g and the four arm arrangement in FIG. 25 a.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the dispenser 4 is shown including a hopper 60disposed above and communicating with at least one compartment 30 withinthe rotatable carriage 6. The hopper 60 is a container-like structureadapted to hold a powder 46. The hopper 60 could include a cover 7. Insome embodiments, it might be advantageous for the hopper 60 tocommunicate with more than one compartment, as represented in FIG. 5b .The walls 107 of the hopper 60 could be sloped or otherwise shaped tofurther ensure powder 46 slides down into the compartments 30. It ispreferred for the hopper 60 to not communicate with the compartment 30immediately above the opening 35 so as to avoid uncontrolled flow ofpowder 46 from the hopper 60 into the container 63. In otherembodiments, a motor 62 coupled to one or more motor-driven elementswithin the powder dispensing apparatus 1 could be secured adjacent tothe hopper 60. In yet other embodiments, the rotatable carriage 6, cover7, and/or hopper 60 could be attached to the powder dispensing apparatus1 in a removable fashion to facilitate cleaning.

Referring now to FIGS. 10a-10c , the rotatable carriage 6 is showndisposed above the support element 16. The outer circumferential wall 31as otherwise described in FIG. 5a could further include a ring 190either molded or adhesively or mechanically attached thereto so as to bedisposed between the rotatable carriage 6 and the support element 16.The ring 190 could include a plurality of first nubs 50 projectingdownward from a lower surface 49. The first nubs 50 could be eithermolded onto or adhesively bonded to the lower surface 49. The uppersurface 48 of the support element 16 could also include at least onesecond nub 51 adhesively bonded to or molded onto thereto. The first andsecond nubs 50, 51 could be substantially curvaceous as represent inFIGS. 10a-10c or any other shape which allows sliding motion betweenrotatable carriage 6 and support element 16. In alternate embodiments,the first nubs 50 could reside directly along the lower edge of theouter circumferential wall 31.

The height of the first and second nubs 50, 51 are preferred to becomplementary spaced so as to allow the first nubs 50 to contact theupper surface 48 when the second nub(s) 51 contact the lower surface 49,as represented in FIGS. 10a and 10c ; however, the height of first andsecond nubs 50, 51 could differ in some applications. As the rotatablecarriage 6 rotates, the first nubs 50 slide up and over the second nub51 as represented in FIGS. 10b and 10c , respectively. This repeatedinteraction causes the rotatable carriage 6 to move up and down therebyshaking the rotatable carriage 6 and its contents. When a compartment 30is aligned over an opening 35, the shaking motion, in part or whole,causes the powder 46 to fall into the container 63, as represented inFIG. 9. This feature is particularly beneficial when the powder 46 isprone to clumping or agglomerations.

Referring now to FIGS. 11a and 11b , the rotatable carriage 6 could alsoinclude a plurality of compartments 30 disposed between an outercircumferential wall 31, an inner circumferential wall 32, and apairwise arrangement of radial side walls 33. Each compartment 30 couldfurther include a horizontal wall 53, substantially parallel to thesupport element 16, attached either mechanically or adhesively to thefour perimeter walls 31, 32, and 33 forming a cup-like structure closedat the bottom or lower end. In this embodiment, the horizontal wall 53has an opening 58 facilitating dispensing of powder 46 from thecompartment 30. A rotatable paddle 52 is further attached to therotatable carriage 6 within each compartment 30. The rotatable paddle 52includes a plate 57 complementary shaped and disposed within the opening58 to prevent dispensing of the powder 46. The plate 57 is furtherattached to a pair of shafts 55, 56 disposed along opposing ends of theplate 57 and along a common axis that allows the plate 57 to freelyrotate. One shaft 55 passes through a complementary sized hole throughthe inner circumferential wall 32. The other shaft 56 passes through acomplementary sized hole through the outer circumferential wall 31.Holes are preferred to be dimensioned with at least a clearance fit sothat the shafts 55, 56 freely rotate therein. A gear 54 is attached andfixed to the end of the shaft 56 along the exterior of the outercircumferential wall 31 so that gear 54, shafts 55, 56, and plate 57rotate as a single unit.

Referring now to FIGS. 11b, 12a, and 12b , the upper surface 48 of thesupport element 16 could include an actuation bracket 59 extending abovethe upper surface 48 immediately adjacent to the opening 35. Theactuation bracket 59 could be mechanically attached or adhesively bondedto the support element 16. In some embodiments, the actuation bracket 59and/or gears 54 could be composed of a rubber or other material thatgrabs or sticks when contacted. In other embodiments, the actuationbracket 59 and gear 54 could be textured or include complementaryteeth-like structures.

The gears 54 are dimensioned and position along the rotatable carriage 6so as to provide a gap between the gears 54 and upper surface 48, asrepresented in FIG. 12a . The actuation bracket 59 extends above thesupport element 16 so as to allow contact with a gear 54 immediatelyadjacent to the opening 35 as the rotatable carriage 6 rotates. When thegear 54 contacts the actuation bracket 59, the gear 54 rotates thusrotating the plate 57 within the opening 58 to an OPEN position so as toallow the powder 46 therein to fall from the compartment 30 into thefunnel 5. Rotation of the plate 57 further enhances dispensingfunctionality by interacting with and agitating the powder 46. At theend of the actuation bracket 59, the gear 54 is rotationally positionedso that the plate 57 is in the CLOSED position, thus closing the opening58. This functionality allows the otherwise empty compartment 30 to berefilled with powder 46. In other embodiments, the actuation bracket 59could be positioned so as to contact and forcibly rotate the rotatablepaddle 52 regardless of the composition, texturing, and other featuresof the gears 54 and actuation bracket 59.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the rotatable carriage 6 is shown composed ofa plurality of separate and independent compartments 30. Eachcompartment 30 includes an outer wall 64, inner wall 65, and a pair ofside radial walls 66 molded or otherwise formed into a single,substantially wedge-shaped body. The outer and inner walls 64, 65 couldbe arcuous so as to form a substantially circular-shaped structure orplanar to form a polygonal-shaped structure. A plurality of compartments30 is arranged about a circular-shaped live hinge 67 so that the innerwall 65 of each compartment 30 contacts the outer circumference of thelive hinge 67. The live hinge 67 could be composed of a rubber or otherpliable and resilient material which readily deflects under a load, yetrecovers its original shape when a load is removed. Each inner wall 65is separately and either mechanically fixed or adhesively bonded to theouter circumference of the live hinge 67 forming a pie-shaped structure.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a lower edge of the outer wall 64 along eachcompartment 30 could include a plurality of first nubs 68 disposed in agenerally downward arrangement. The support element 16 could alsoinclude a plurality of second nubs 69 disposed upward and along a radialposition immediately adjacent to the opening 35. Both first nubs 68 andsecond nubs 69 are positioned so as to overlay in a complementaryarrangement when the rotatable carriage 6 is seated onto the spindle 19along the support element 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 15a and 15b , the first and second nubs 68, 69interact when the rotatable carriage 6 rotates causing the compartment30 attached to the first nubs 68 to repeatedly lift up and down relativeto the support element 16. The up and down motion of a compartment 30 isfacilitated by deflection of the live hinge 67. The compartments 30adjacent to the immediate compartment 30 are isolated from this motionby virtue of the deflection and damping properties of the live hinge 67.The resultant shaking or vibrating motion agitates the powder 46ensuring release from the compartment 30 immediately aligned with anopening 35, as further represented in FIG. 15 b.

Referring now to FIGS. 16a-16d , the funnel 5 includes a cup-shapedsection 70 having wall 108 that is at least partially sloped downwardtoward an opening 71. In some embodiments, the funnel 5 could alsoinclude a handle 73 disposed along one end. In other embodiments, atleast one port 74 could be positioned along the wall 108 with at leastone port 74 positioned within the sloped region 109. The ports 74 enableinjection of a liquid 82 from a reservoir 18 via a pump 8 as otherwisedescribed herein and further illustrated in FIG. 18b . Each port 74aligns with a connector port 75 disposed along the tower 3, dispenser 4,or reservoir 18, thus allowing for the uninterrupted flow of liquid 82from the pump 8 into the funnel 5. In some embodiments, the funnel 5functions to direct only powder 46 from a compartment 30 into acontainer 63. In other embodiments, the funnel 5 enables mixing of apowder 46 and liquid 82 dispensed into the funnel 5 prior to directingthe mixture into a container 63. In latter embodiments, the ports 74inject a liquid 82 into the funnel 5 causing the liquid 82 to swirlalong the interior of the cup-shaped section 70 in a downward-directedspiraling fashion toward the opening 71. This swirling action alsofacilitates cleaning within the cup-shaped section 70 after propermixing of the powder 46 and liquid 82.

In other embodiments, the wall 108 and sloped region 109 are generallyarranged as represented in FIG. 2 to allow at least one port 74 toproduce a downward tumbling vortex with the liquid 82. The vortex issustained by the pressure exerted by the ports 74 to ensure propermixing between powder 46 and liquid 82 within the funnel 5.

In yet other embodiments, the funnel 5 could include a flange 72disposed along a port of the upper edge of the cup-shaped section 70, asshown in FIG. 16a . The flange 72 could facilitate attachment of thefunnel 5 to the dispenser 4. For example, the flange 72 in someembodiments could contact a channel 112 disposed along the housing 11,as shown in FIG. 16d , which enables a user to properly attach thefunnel 5 to the powder dispensing apparatus 1. The channel 112 couldalso include a sensor 113 in other embodiments contacted by the flange72, as illustrated in FIG. 16e . For example, the sensor 113 could be adepression-type switch or the like which indicates the funnel 5 isproperly seated onto the housing 11 when the switch is depressed.

Referring now to FIG. 17a , the reservoir 18 is shown with a first probe116 and a second probe 117 disposed along and attached to opposing sidesof the reservoir 18. It is likewise possible for the first and secondprobes 116, 117 to be disposed along and attached to one side or to twoimmediately adjacent sides. The first and second probes 116, 117 extendinto the reservoir 18 so as to communicate with a liquid 82 therein. Theinterface between each probe 116, 117 and the reservoir 18 could besealed with a waterproof adhesive or caulk or gasket to prevent leakage.In preferred embodiments, the first and second probes 116, 117 aredisposed at the same height within the reservoir 18. Both probes 116,117 are electrically connected to a continuity circuit and thereafterelectrically communicate with a control circuit. The liquid 82 contactsthe first and second probes 116, 117 when the liquid 82 is at a firstlevel 114, thus completing the continuity circuit. The first level 114could indicate sufficient liquid 82 within the reservoir 18 foroperation of a pump 8. The liquid 82 would otherwise not contact one orboth probes 116, 117 when the liquid 82 is at a second level 115. Thesecond level 115 could indicate that either the reservoir 18 is empty ordoes not hold the minimum quantity of liquid 82 required to preventdamage to the pump 8 during its operation. In preferred embodiments, thefirst level 114 is the minimum height of liquid 82 within the reservoir18 required to contact both probes 116, 117 and the second level 115 isthe minimum height at which the liquid 82 only contacts the first probe116 or second probe 117.

Referring now to FIG. 17b , the reservoir 18 is shown including a float119 disposed within a housing 118. The float 119 could be composed of amaterial with a density less than that of the liquid 82. The housing 118could be either molded or attached to the reservoir mechanically or viaan adhesive. In preferred embodiments, the housing 118 includes avertically disposed column or channel, as represented in FIG. 17b . Thelower end of the housing 118 communicates with the reservoir 18 via anopening 138 so as to allow liquid 82 within the reservoir 18 to enterand exit the housing 118. The float 119 freely moves up and down withinthe housing 118 to a level corresponding to the overall level of liquid82 within the reservoir 18. When the float 119 is positioned at or nearthe top of the housing 118, the float 119 interacts with a switch 120mounted to the housing 118 or contacting the housing 118. When theliquid 82 is at a first level 114, the float 119 moves upward within thehousing 118 so as to contact the switch 120. Activation of the switch120 by the float 119 could indicate sufficient liquid 82 within thereservoir 18 for operation of a pump 8. When the liquid 82 is at asecond level 115, the float 119 no longer interacts with the switch 120thus indicating that the reservoir 18 either is empty or does not holdthe minimum quantity of liquid 82 required to prevent damage to the pump8. The switching mechanism between float 119 and switch 120 couldinclude, but is not limited to, a magnet within the float 119 and reedswitch disposed along the housing 118 or a mechanical switch adapted tothe housing 118 to interact with a cam along the float 119. The switch120 could be electrically connected to a control circuit to activate amotor which drives a pump 8 or directly attached to a self-contained,fully-functional pump 8.

Referring now to FIG. 17c , a heating element 124 is shown attached atand fixed to the bottom of a reservoir 18, although the heating element124 could reside in other locations therein. In some embodiments, theheating element 124 could be attached to the reservoir 18 adjacent to aline 123. The heating element 124 could be a resistive-type elementadapted for use within a liquid 82. The line 123 could be a tube orother element allowing a liquid 82 to pass from the reservoir 18 to apump 8. A probe 125 is also attached to the reservoir 18, preferably atthe bottom thereof, so as to contact the liquid 82 within the reservoir18. The probe 125 could be a thermistor or other element known withinthe art which enables temperature monitoring of the liquid 82. The probe125 and heating element 124 could be electrically connected to a controlcircuit which allows the heating element 124 to be turned ON or OFFdepending on temperature information from the probe 125. The reservoir18 could include an access panel 121 allowing for refill thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 17d , the reservoir 18 is shown including anoptional probe 130 attached along one wall and contacting liquid 82within the reservoir 18 for purposes of monitoring temperature thereof.A male connector 139 is disposed at the bottom of the reservoir 18. Aspring actuated valve 131 is disposed within and attached to the maleconnector 139. A heating element 124 is also attached to the reservoir18 and electrically connected to one or more contacts 133 disposed alongthe exterior of the reservoir 18. Connectivity between heating element124 and contacts 133 could be via wires adapted to traverse the wall ofthe reservoir 18 without leakage of the liquid 82.

A female connector 140 is provided along a housing 126 so as to alignwith the male connector 139. The housing 126 could include structurealong or projecting from the tower 3 or base 2. Contacts 127 could beprovided along and attached to the housing 126 so as to align with thecontacts 133. A contact 122 could be provided along and attached to thehousing 126 so as to align with a contact 133 electrically communicatingwith the probe 130.

The reservoir 18 is seated onto the housing 126 by inserting the maleconnector 139 into the female connector 140. A seal ring 132 could beprovided at the interface between male and female connectors 139, 140 toprevent leakage. The female connector 140 could be further attached to aline 128. The spring actuated valve 131 is depressed or otherwiseactuated thereby opening the otherwise closed valve when male and femaleconnectors 139, 140 are properly coupled. This functionality preventsthe liquid 82 from freely flowing from the reservoir 18 when detachedfrom the housing 126 but otherwise flowable from the reservoir 18 whenseated onto the housing 126. Liquid 82 from the reservoir 18 passesthrough the male and female connectors 139, 140 into the line 128thereafter passing to the pump 8.

When male and female connectors 139, 140 are properly connected, thecontacts 133 from the heating element 124 contact the contacts 127 alongthe housing 126 so as to allow power to the heating element 124 and/orcontrol commands from a control circuit. Also, the contact 133 from theprobe 130 contacts the contact 122 so as to communication voltage orother informational values from the probe 130 to a control circuit orthe like. In other embodiments, a probe 129 could be attached to theline 128 so as to monitor temperature of the liquid 82 after it exitsthe reservoir 18.

Referring now to FIG. 17e , a modified form of the removable reservoir18 in FIG. 17d is shown with a line 134 attached to and communicatingwith the female connector 140 along the housing 126 at one end and apump 135 at the other end. In some embodiments, the pump 8 could be afully-functional motorized component. The pump 135 is further attachedto and communicates with an external heating element 136 via a line 141.The external heating element 136 is also attached to and communicateswith the funnel 5 described herein via another line 137. In thisembodiment, the external heating element 136 could be an on-demand orhot-shot heater which allows for rapid heating as the liquid 82 passesthrough the heating element 136 prior to injection into the funnel 5. Insome embodiments, the heating element 136 could be positioned before thepump 135 rather than after the pump 135 as represented in FIG. 17 e.

Referring now to FIGS. 18a and 18b , the powder dispensing apparatus 1is shown including a pump 8 manually actuated via a handle 14. The pump8 includes a housing 80 defining an enclosure adapted to receive, hold,and dispense a liquid 82. A portion of the pump 8 extends into thereservoir 18. An optional inlet tube 78 could be attached to the lowerend of the housing 80 so as to allow the pump 8 to communicate withliquid 82 at the bottom of the reservoir 18. An outlet tube 79 is alsoattached at one end to the housing 80, preferably at the lower endthereof. The other end of the outlet tube 79 is attached to the ports 74along the funnel 5 directly or via connector ports 75, as describedherein. The inlet and outlet tubes 78, 79 could be either flexible orrigid tubing. A piston 15 is slidably disposed within the housing 80with a portion extending therefrom. The piston 15 is attached to thehandle 14 via a linkage assembly 22, as otherwise described herein, soas to be extendable from and retractable into the housing 80. Thefunctional description is also applicable to motorized embodiments withappropriate substitutions and adaptations otherwise described herein.

The piston 15 extends from the housing 80 when the handle 14 is rotatedupward, as represented in FIG. 18a . As the piston 15 is extended, itgenerates a vacuum within the housing 80 drawing liquid 82 from thereservoir 18 into the housing 80. The lower end of the housing 80adjacent to the inlet tube 78 could include a flapper 76 attached to theinterior of the housing 80 via a fastener 77. The flapper 76 could becomposed of rubber or other flexible material capable of deflecting awayfrom the housing 80 when fluid enters the pump 8. It is also possiblefor the inlet tube 78 or housing 80 to include a one-way valve whichallows liquid 82 to enter but not exit through the inlet tube 78. Theoutlet tube 79 could further include a one-way valve 81 to prevent airfrom entering the pump 8 when the piston 15 is extended.

The piston 15 retracts into the housing 80 when the handle 14 is rotateddownward, as represented in FIG. 18b . As the piston 15 is retracted, itpressurizes the liquid 82 within the pump 8 causing the flapper 76 tocover the inlet tube 78 thereby directing the liquid 82 into the outlettube 79. The liquid 82 traverses the outlet tube 79 and is injected intothe funnel 5 via the ports 74. The liquid 82 could pass through aheating element prior to entering the funnel 5. Downward rotation of thehandle 14 also causes the rotatable carriage 6 to rotate or the slidablecarriage 194 to move, as otherwise described herein, so as to dispense apowder 46 as liquid 82 enters the funnel 5. In some embodiments, thepump 8 could inject liquid 82 into the funnel 5 for a finite time periodafter powder 46 and liquid 82 are properly mixed. This functionalitywould allow the liquid 82 to rinse the interior of the funnel 5, thusremoving residue remaining after mixing.

Referring now to FIG. 19a , a dispenser 4 is shown including a hopper 60with a threaded shaft 83 passing through and rotatable with respect to awall 110. The threaded shaft 83 also passes through a platen 84. Theinterface between threaded shaft 83 and platen 84 enables the platen 84to move toward and away from a rotatable carriage 6 disposed below andat one end of the hopper 60. The threaded shaft 83 could be furthersupported within the hopper 60 via one or more flanges. The end of thethreaded shaft 83 could include a gear 85 which rotates with thethreaded shaft 83. The gear 85 could contact a ring 86 along the uppersurface of the rotatable carriage 6, thus allowing the gear 85 to rotatethe rotatable carriage 6 when the threaded shaft 83 rotates. In someembodiments, the gear 85 and/or ring 86 could be composed of or includea rubber or other material which grabs or sticks when contacted. Inother embodiments, the gear 85 and/or ring 86 could be textured orinclude teeth providing a complementary engagement. When the threadedshaft 83 is rotated in one direction, the platen 84 moves toward therotatable carriage 6 pushing powder 46 within the hopper 60 intocompartments 30 not contacted by a cover 34. When rotation of thethreaded shaft 83 is reversed, the platen 84 moves away from therotatable carriage 6 allowing a user to refill the hopper 60 with powder46. In other embodiments, the rotatable carriage 6, cover 7, and/orhopper 60 could be attached to the powder dispensing apparatus 1 in aremovable fashion to facilitate cleaning. In still other embodiments,the threaded shaft 83, platen 84, and ring 85 could be attached to thehopper 60 via a snap-fit arrangement which facilitates disassembly forcleaning purposes.

In some embodiments, the platen 84 could be attached to the threadedshaft 83 in a removable fashion, one example being a snap fitarrangement. A removable platen 84 would allow a user to reposition andadjust the platen 84 after cleaning or when the hopper 60 is refilledwith powder 46. It is also possible for the platen 84 to be molded of amaterial with one or more different colors. A colored platen 84 couldprovide visual cues to a user as to the quantity of powder 46 residingwithin the hopper 60. The cover 7 described herein could be composed ofa transparent material and etched with lines, numbers or other visualcues that correspond with the position of the platen 84 within thehopper 60. These visual cues could be representative of the quantity ofpowder 46 residing within the hopper 60.

Referring now to FIGS. 19b and 19c , the handle 14 is attached at apivot 142, as otherwise described in FIGS. 2-4, so as to rotate about arotational axis 159. The handle 14 could include a flange 143 whichextends in a substantially upright direction. The flange 143 is looselyattached to one end of a linkage 145 via a pivot pin 144 or othersimilar fastener. The linkage 145 is loosely attached at a second end toa rack gear 147 via a pivot pin 146 or other similar fastener. The rackgear 147 is disposed in a horizontal arrangement parallel to therotatable carriage 6 and hopper 60. The rotatable carriage 6 includes acarriage pinion 148 extending perpendicular from the rotatable carriage6 and toward the rack gear 147. The carriage pinion 148 is fixed to therotatable carriage 6 so that both elements are rotatable as a singlebody. The rack gear 147 further includes a plurality of teeth 157disposed along one side thereof which contact teeth 160 along thecarriage pinion 148. The far end of the rack gear 147 is attached to oneend of a compression spring 152. The other end of the compression spring152 contacts a stop 151 attached and fixed to the housing 11 withindispenser 4. The rack gear 147 also includes a rack cam 149 adjacent toa housing cam 150, the latter attached and fixed to the housing 11. Insome embodiments, the carriage pinion 148 could be designed as a clutchor slip gear so as to eliminate the rack gear and cam 147, 148. Therotatable carriage 6 might also include a finger 158 fixed at one end tothe rotatable carriage 6 so as to extend and contact the teeth 160. Thisarrangement allows the carriage pinion 148 to rotate in one directiononly. In addition molded teeth used as shown by elements 68 and 69 onFIGS. 15a-15b could be shaped to eliminate the finger 158 allowing thecarriage pinion 148 to rotate in one direction only.

The dispenser 4 further includes a hopper 60. A platen 84 is disposed inan upright position, preferably substantially traversing the width andheight of the hopper 60. A threaded shaft 83 is further disposed along aportion of the hopper 60. One end of the threaded shaft 83 passesthrough a side wall 156 of the hopper 60. The other end of the threadedshaft 83 is supported along a flange 155 attached to a bottom wall 161along the hopper 60. The threaded shaft 83 also passes through theplaten 84 which is adapted to move along the threaded shaft 83 in onedirection when the threaded shaft 83 is rotated clockwise and in theopposite direction when the threaded shaft 83 is rotatedcounter-clockwise. The threaded shaft 83 is freely rotatable at contactpoints with the side wall 156 and flange 155. A spur gear 154 isattached and fixed to the end of the threaded shaft 83 immediatelyadjacent to the flange 155.

The rotatable carriage 6 is positioned below the hopper 60 as otherwisedescribed herein. The ring 86 along the upper side of the rotatablecarriage 6 includes a crown gear 153. The teeth along the crown gear 153contact and interact with the spur gear 154.

Downward movement of the handle 14 is communicated to the rack gear 147via the linkage 145 causing the rack gear 147 to move horizontallytoward the carriage pinion 148 compressing the compression spring 152disposed between the rack gear 147 and stop 151. Interaction between thecarriage pinion 148 and teeth 157 along the rack gear 147 causes thecarriage pinion 148 and rotatable carriage 6 to rotate. Rotation of therotatable carriage 6 is further communicated to the threaded shaft 83via the crown gear 153 and spur gear 154 causing the platen 84 to movetoward the rotatable carriage 6. When the handle 14 is fully depressed,the rack cam 149 engages the housing cam 150 allowing the rack gear 147to disengage from the carriage pinion 148, thus allowing the compressionspring 152 to push the rack gear 147 back to its starting position toreset the handle 14. Rotation of the rotatable carriage 6 positions acompartment 30 for delivery of powder 46 into the funnel 5, as furtherdescribed herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 19b and 19g , a shaft 192 could be fixed to therotatable carriage 6 so as to extend vertically upward from therotatable carriage 6 opposite of the carriage pinion 148. A wand 193could be fixed to the upper end of the shaft 192 within the hopper 60.The wand 193 could be arranged perpendicular with respect to the shaft192 above the rotatable carriage 6. The wand 193 rotates with therotatable carriage 6 and carriage pinion 148. The wand 193 could includevarious shapes, one example being the three-arm arrangement in FIG. 19g. The wand 193 is positioned within the hopper 60 so as to evenlydistribute powder 46 into the compartments 30.

Referring now to FIG. 19d , the handle 14 is attached to a pivot 142 atone end and includes a flange 162 extending substantially downward. Theflange 162 is rotatably attached to one end of a linkage 163 via a pivotpin 164 or the like. The other end of the linkage 163 is rotatablyattached via a pivot pin 165 to a piston 15 slidably disposed within apump 8. The pump 8 receives a liquid 82 from a reservoir 18 via an inletline 166 and communicates the liquid 82 to a funnel 5 via an outlet line167, as further described herein. Downward motion of the handle 14causes the piston 15 to move into the pump 8 causing the liquid 82therein to flow into the outlet line 167. Upward motion of the handlecauses the piston 15 to move out of the pump 8 drawing liquid 82 intothe pump 8 via the inlet line 166. In some embodiments, it might beadvantageous to combine the features described in FIGS. 19b-19d allowingfor manual operability of both a rotatable carriage 6 and a pump 8. Inother embodiments, it might be advantageous to combine the featuresdescribed in FIGS. 23a, 23b and 19d allowing for manual operability ofboth a slidable carriage 194 and a pump 8. The travel distance of thehandle 14 could be indexed to the quantity of powder 46 within eachrotatable carriage 6 or slidable carriage 194 and capacity of liquid 82from the pump 8 to dispense the proper ratio of powder 46 and liquid 82.

Referring now to FIGS. 19e and 19f , the piston 15 along the pump 8shown in FIG. 19d is rotatably attached to one end of a linkage 169 viaa pivot pin 165. The other end of the linkage 169 is rotatably attachedto a second linkage 171 via a pivot pin 164. The other end of the secondlinkage 171 is attached and fixed to a spur gear 172 via a pivot pin173. This arrangement ensures the linkage 171 rotates with the spur gear172. The spur gear 172 is further attached to an arrangement of clustergears 174 within a gearbox 170. A pinion 175 is further attached to ashaft along a reversible motor 168. One cluster gear 174 contacts thepinion 175 and another cluster gear 174 contacts a second spur gear 176partially extending into the gearbox 170. The cluster gears 174communicate rotation of the pinion 175 by the motor 168 to rotation ofthe spur gear 172 causing the piston 18 to move up or down within thepump 8 dependent in part on gear design and direction of rotation by themotor 168. The cluster gears 174 also communicate rotation of the pinion175 to the second spur gear 176. The inlet line 166, outlet line 167,and/or pump 82 could include a one-way valve and/or flap mechanism asotherwise described for FIGS. 18a-18b . In other embodiments, it mightbe advantageous to combine the features described in FIGS. 23a, 23b,12e, and 12f allowing for motorized operability of both a slidablecarriage 194 and a pump 8.

Referring again to FIG. 19f , a shaft 192 could be fixed to ring 210 soas to extend vertically upward away a slidable carriage 194, the latternot shown. The ring 210 is rotatably disposed within the hopper 60 aboveand adjacent to the slidable carriage 194. A wand 193 could be fixed tothe upper end of the shaft 192 within the hopper 60. The wand 193 couldbe arranged perpendicular with respect to the shaft 192 above the ring210. This arrangement ensures that the wand 193 rotates with the ring210 and shaft 192. The wand 193 could include various shapes, onenon-limiting example being the three-arm arrangement in FIG. 19g . Thewand 193 is positioned within the hopper 60 so as to move and distributepowder 46 into the compartments 30, as otherwise shown in FIGS. 24a and24b . In some embodiments, the cluster gears 174, spur gear 176, andmotor 168 described in FIGS. 24a, 24b, and 19f could rotate the ring 210via contact between a spur gear 154 and a crown gear 153 along the topof the ring 210. The spur gear 154 and crown gear 153 could be drivendirectly by a motor 168 or indirectly via the threaded shaft 83. Forembodiments including a rotatable carriage 6, the rotatable carriage 6could be fixed to the ring 210 and rotate therewith.

The hopper 60 described in FIGS. 19c and 19d includes a threaded shaft83 which partially traverses the hopper 60. One end of the threadedshaft 83 passes through and extends from the side wall 156. The otherend of the threaded shaft 83 is supported by a flange 155 extendingupright from the bottom wall 161. A spur gear 154 is attached and fixedto the threaded shaft 83 at one end. A rotatable carriage 6 is disposedbelow and rotatable with respect to the hopper 60. The spur gear 154communicates with a crown gear 153 disposed along the ring 86 along theupper side of the rotatable carriage 6. A threaded shaft 83 passesthrough a platen 84 which is adapted to move forward and backward alongthe threaded shaft 83 depending on the rotational direction. The end ofthe threaded shaft 83 extending beyond the side wall 156 is attached andfixed to the spur gear 176. This arrangement allows the spur gear 176 torotate the shaft 83 which in turn rotates the rotatable carriage 6 viathe spur gear 154 and crown gear 153.

In some embodiments, the linkage mechanism between pump 8 and rotatablecarriage 6 or slidable carriage 194 could include a sensor mechanism fordetermining and controlling the quantity of powder 46 and liquid 82dispensed into a container 63. One exemplary sensor mechanism couldinclude a paired arrangement of contacts 177, 178.

A spur gear 176 could include one or more contacts 177 indexed with thecompartments 30 and/or flow rate from or quantity of liquid 82 dispensedby the pump 8. A contact 178 could be attached to the dispenser 4 orwithin the gearbox 170 and positioned to touch or interact with thecontacts 177 as the spur gear 176 rotates. The contacts 177, 178 couldbe composed of a conductive metal which makes and breaks a circuit so asto allow a control circuit to determine the quantity of liquid 82 andpowder 46 dispensed into a container 63. In one non-limiting example, asingle contact 177 could be disposed along a spur gear 176. The contacts177, 178 could touch once per complete revolution of the spur gear 176indicating that powder 46 from one compartment 30 is dispensed into thefunnel 5 and liquid 82 is injected into the funnel 5 consistent with onefill/discharge cycle by the pump 8. The control circuit could controlthe ON and OFF functionality of the motor 168 to accurately control thequantity of powder 46 and liquid 82 dispensed. Other designs arepossible allowing for an infinite number of powder-to-liquid ratios.

While FIGS. 19e, 19f, 24a and 24b describe a motorized embodimentcapable of driving both pump 8 and rotatable carriage 6 or slidablecarriage 194, it is also possible for the motor 168 to drive either onlythe pump 8 or only the rotatable carriage 6 or slidable carriage 194.

Referring now to FIGS. 20a-20c , the powder dispensing apparatus 1 isshown including a substantially L-shaped base 2 attached to a tower 3and dispenser 4. The housing 13 along the base 2 includes a pair ofwalls 180. The housing 12 along the tower 3 also includes a pair ofwalls 179. Each wall 180 includes a pair of bosses 181, 182 which extendoutward in a substantially perpendicular fashion. Each boss 181, 182could have a circular cross section as illustrated in FIGS. 20a and 20c. Each wall 179 includes a pair of tracks 183, 184 which extend inward.The tracks 183, 184 are flange-like elements which extend from the innersurface of each wall 179. The top most track 183 is preferred to beU-shaped structure 185 opening downward. The bottom most track 184includes a pair of intersecting U-shaped structures 186, 187 with anL-shaped structure 188 extending from end one. In preferred embodiments,the bosses 181, 182 extend toward and contact the inner surface of thewall 179, yet remain slidable with respect thereto. Also, a portion ofone or both tracks 183, 184 could extend toward and contact the outersurface of the wall 180, yet slidable with respect thereto.

The base 2 is positioned and locked in an upright position bypositioning the boss 181 so that it resides within and contacts theU-shaped structure 185 and the other boss 182 so that it resides withinand contacts the U-shaped structure 186, as represented in FIGS. 20a and20b . The base 2 in positioned and locked in a folded position bypulling the base 2 downward to release the bosses 181, 182 from therespective U-shaped structures 185, 186. Next, the base 2 is rotatedcounter-clockwise as represented in FIG. 20c and pulled to the right sothe boss 181 now contacts the L-shaped structure 188 and the other boss182 now contacts the U-shaped structure 187. The base 2 is extended tothe upright position again by pushing the base 2 to the left androtating the base 2 clockwise so as to align the bosses 181, 182 withthe respective U-shaped structures 185, 186. Next, the base 2 is pushedup into the tower 3 locking the bosses 181, 182 into the respectiveU-shaped structures 185, 186. A molded spring detent or compressionspring with cap could be used to provide a firm stop and an audio cue tothe user signaling folded and upright positions.

Referring now to FIG. 21, an exemplary control panel 88 is shown forcontrolling electrically powered components within the powder dispensingapparatus 1. The control panel 88 could be mounted along an exteriorsurface 87 disposed along the base 2, tower 3, or dispenser 4.

The control panel 88 could include a variety of options which enable auser to select and deselect functionality of the powder dispensingapparatus 1. In one example, temperature selectors 89 could allow a userto select the temperature of liquid 82 dispensed into a container 63. Inanother example, a water selector 90 could allow a user to select ordeselect injection of a liquid 82 from a reservoir 18 into the funnel 5.In yet another example, quantity selectors 91 could allow a user toselect the amount of liquid 82 dispensed into a container 63. In stillanother example, a start selector 92 could allow a user to power thepowder dispensing apparatus 1 and a stop selector 93 could allow a userto terminate power to or interrupt functionality of the powderdispensing apparatus 1. Selectors could include touch sensitive buttonsor switches with or without backlighting or light indicators.

The control panel 88 could further include a variety of indicatorelements which communicate information to a user. In one example, awater level indicator 94 could direct a user to add more liquid 82 to areservoir 18. In another example, a funnel indicator 95 could direct auser to attach a funnel 5 to the powder dispensing apparatus 1 or checkto determine whether a funnel 5 is properly seated within the dispenser4. Other indicators which relate to safety and performance are likewiseapplicable to the powder dispensing apparatus 1. Indicator elementscould include a polymer sheet with one or more symbols displayable whenbacklit by a light element.

Referring now to FIG. 22, the control panel 88 could electricallycommunicate with a control circuit 97. The control circuit 97 couldfurther communicate with electrically powered elements within the powderdispensing apparatus 1. For example, the control circuit 97 couldcommunicate power and/or control commands to a motor 96 for purposes ofcontrolling functionality of the rotatable carriage 6 and/or or slidablecarriage 194 and/or pump 8. In another example, the control circuit 97could communicate power and/or control commands directly to a motorizedpump 98. In yet another example, the control circuit 97 couldcommunicate power and/or control commands to a heater 111 for purposesof controlling heating of a liquid 82. In still other examples, thecontrol circuit 97 could receive and process information from a varietyof sensors 99 including, but not limited to, a temperature sensorcommunicating with a liquid 82, a water level sensor within a reservoir18, a sensor 113 within the dispenser 4 which determines whether thefunnel 5 is property seated therein, or the sensor mechanism comprisingthe contacts 177, 178 shown in FIGS. 19e and 19d . Information from thetemperature sensor could be used to determine ON and OFF functionalityof the heater 111. Information from the water level sensor could be usedto prevent the motor 96 or motorized pump 98 from functioning in orderto control the quality of the mixture dispensed into the container 63 orto avoid damage to the powder dispensing apparatus 1 or component(s)thereof. Information from the water level sensor could also be used toactuate the water level indicator 94. Information from the sensor 113adjacent to the funnel 5 could be used to actuate the funnel indicator95. Information from the contacts 177, 178 could be used to determine ONand OFF functionality of a motor 168.

As is evident from the explanation above, the described inventionprovides a fully-integrated dispensing apparatus applicable to foodpreparation. Accordingly, the described invention is expected to be soldby retailers and the like to shoppers who require the convenience of apowder dispenser examples including, but not limited to, persons havinga family member with special feeding needs.

The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility isoffered in terms of the present invention. Although systems and methodshave been described in considerable detail with reference to certainpreferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, thespirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to thedescription of the preferred versions contained herein.

1-23. (canceled)
 24. An apparatus for preparing a food product from apowder, comprising: (a) a base adapted for receiving a container; (b) adispenser including a rotatable carriage disposed over a support elementwith an opening, said rotatable carriage including a plurality ofcompartments, said rotatable carriage rotatable about a central axis,said compartments being sequentially disposed over said opening as saidcarriage is rotated, (c) a hopper disposed above said rotatablecarriage; (d) a cover interposed between said carriage and said hopper,said cover being sized and shaped to substantially limit communicationbetween said hopper and at least one of said compartments, when saidcompartment is disposed over said opening; (e) a tower disposed betweenand attached to said base and said dispenser; (f) a funnel removablyengageable to said tower below said support element opposite saidopening, said funnel having an outlet aligned with said container, saidfunnel further having at least one tangentially aligned fluid inlet portconfigured to direct(s) a fluid into said funnel to generate a vortextherein as the fluid flows from said inlet to said outlet; (g) a funnelsensor configured to detect a presence of the removable funnel; (h) areservoir attached to said powder dispensing apparatus and adapted tostore a liquid; (i) a pump communicating with said reservoir and saidfluid inlet port of said funnel; (j) a motor attached to said powderdispensing apparatus, and configured to rotate said rotatable carriage;and (k) a controller operatively coupled to said pump and said motor,said controller being configured to operate said pump and said motor todispense said liquid and said powder into said funnel for mixing thereinaccording to a specific ratio, said controller being further coupled tosaid funnel sensor and preventing operation of said pump and said motorif the funnel is not detected.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, furthercomprising a sensor configured to detect the rotation of said carriage,said sensor being coupled to said controller.
 26. The apparatus of claim24, further comprising a control panel disposed along an exteriorsurface of said powder dispensing apparatus and configured toelectrically communicate with said controller.
 27. The apparatus ofclaim 24, further comprising: a heating element disposed within saidpowder dispensing apparatus and configured to heat said liquid prior tomixing with said powder.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27, furthercomprising a temperature sensor coupled to said controller, saidtemperature sensor being configured to detect a temperature of saidliquid, said controller being configured to operate said heating elementto obtain a desired temperature of the fluid.
 29. The apparatus of claim24, further comprising a level sensor disposed within said reservoir andcoupled to said controller, said controller being further configured toprevent operability of said motor when said liquid within said reservoiris below a predetermined level.
 30. The apparatus of claim 24, whereinsaid reservoir is removably attached to said powder dispensingapparatus.
 31. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a wandcoupled to said rotatable carriage, said wand being disposed above saidcarriage and within said hopper.
 32. An apparatus for preparing a foodproduct from a powder, comprising: (a) a base adapted for receiving acontainer; (b) a dispenser including a rotatable carriage disposed overa support element with a support element opening, said rotatablecarriage including a portion adjacent said support element and having aplurality of carriage openings therein, said rotatable carriagerotatable about a central axis, said carriage openings beingsequentially disposed over said support element opening as said carriageis rotated, (c) a hopper disposed above said rotatable carriage; (d) acover interposed between said carriage and said hopper, said cover beingsized and shaped to substantially limit communication between saidhopper and at least one of said carriage openings, when said carriageopening is disposed over said support element opening; (e) a funnelprovided below said support element opposite said opening, said funnelhaving an outlet aligned with said container; said funnel further havingat least one tangentially aligned fluid inlet port configured todirect(s) a fluid into said funnel to generate a vortex therein as thefluid flows from said inlet to said outlet; (f) a reservoir attached tosaid powder dispensing apparatus and adapted to store a liquid; (g) apump communicating with said reservoir and said fluid inlet port of saidfunnel; (h) a motor attached to said powder dispensing apparatus, andconfigured to rotate said rotatable carriage; and (i) a controlleroperatively coupled to said pump and said motor, said controller beingconfigured to operate said pump and said motor to dispense said liquidand said powder into said funnel for mixing therein according to aspecific ratio.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising afunnel sensor configured to detect a presence of the removable funnel;and the controller being further coupled to said funnel sensor andpreventing operation of said pump and said motor if the funnel is notdetected.
 34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said controller iscoupled to said funnel sensor, and wherein said controller preventsoperation of said pump and said motor if the funnel is not detected bythe funnel sensor.
 35. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising asensor configured to detect the rotation of said carriage, said sensorbeing coupled to said controller.
 36. The apparatus of claim 32, furthercomprising a control panel disposed along an exterior surface of saidpowder dispensing apparatus, and configured to electrically communicatewith said controller.
 37. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:a heating element disposed within said powder dispensing apparatus andconfigured to heat said liquid prior to mixing with said powder.
 38. Theapparatus of claim 37, further comprising a temperature sensor coupledto said controller, said temperature sensor being configured to detect atemperature of said liquid, said controller being configured to operatesaid heating element to obtain a desired temperature of the fluid. 39.The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a level sensor disposedwithin said reservoir and coupled to said controller, said controllerbeing further configured to prevent operability of said motor when saidliquid within said reservoir is below a predetermined level.
 40. Theapparatus of claim 32, wherein said reservoir is removably attached tosaid powder dispensing apparatus.
 41. The apparatus of claim 32, furthercomprising a wand coupled to said rotatable carriage, said wand beingdisposed above said carriage and within said hopper.
 42. The apparatusof claim 32, further comprising a tower disposed between and attached tosaid base and said dispenser; wherein said funnel is removablyengageable to said tower below said support element and opposite saidopening.